Flow control valve



April 1956 T. R. SMITH 2,742,925

FLOW CONTROL VALVE Original Filed June 10, 1950 I N VEN TOR.

United States Patent Ofiice FLOW CONTROL VALVE Thomas R. Smith, Newton,Iowa, assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation ofDelaware Original application June 10, 1950, Serial No. 167,283. Dividedand this application October 23, 1951, Serial No. 252,598

1 Claim. (Cl. 138-45) The present invention relates to fluid flowcontrol devices, and more particularly to such devices for automaticallysupplying water having the desired temperature characteristics. towashing machines and the like.

The present invention contemplates novel control devices for controllingthe flow of fluid in a miXing valve such, for example, as would be usedin an automatic washer wherein hot water and cold water are mixed toobtain warm water which is supplied to the automatic washing machine.Mixing valves employed at the present time for such use embody athermostatic control and a flow control device on the outlet sidethereof and are capable of delivering to the washing machine equalamounts of warm water in any given interval of time, regardless ofvariations in pressure of the entering water and at any desiredtemperature, for example at 100 degrees F. with a variation either wayof approximately degrees F., depending, of course, upon the type andsetting of the thermostatic control. It has been found, however, thatthe temperature variation may exceed such limitations as aboverepresented and that the temperature of the wash water may vary as muchas 30 degress F. or, for example, between 90 and 120 degrees F. withoutaffecting the washing operations and with such recognition it has beenpossible by relatively simple and inexpensive mechanism to effectivelycontrol the flow of water to deliver equal amounts thereof in equalintervals of time to the washing machine within the temperature rangeindicated, thus eliminating the necessity for the thermostatic controlpresently used in this type of mixing valves.

Accordingly the present invention has as an object the idea of providinga flow control device which is of simple, durable and relativelyinexpensive construction, which isadapted for use in controlling theflow of fluid through a conduit or the like and which is adapted todeliver equal quantities of fluid in equal intervals of time, regardlessof variations in fluid.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mixingvalve having the attributes of the mixing device described immediatelyhereinabove and adapted to regulate and control the hot,-cold, and warmwater delivered to an automatic washing machine or the like.

Other objects, features, capabilities and advantages are comprehended bythe invention as will later appear and as are inherently possessedthereby.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a valve assembly made in accordance with thepresent invention having parts thereof broken away and shown incross-section to disclose the valve construction more in detail.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of a member for the flow controldevices incorporated in the valve assembly shown in Figure 1 of thedrawings; and

Figure 3 is another view in perspective of the member shown in Figure 2of the drawings.

Referring now in more detail to' the drawings, an empressure of theentering bodiment selected to illustrate the present invention is shownas being incorporated in a mixing valve for use in supplying hot andcold water, or a mixture of the same, to the container or tub for awashing machine or the like, and more particularly, the saidillustrative example of the invention contemplates the provision ofmeans for automatically supplying such liquid to said tub or container.

In the form in which the invention is illustrated in the drawings, thevalve comprises a valve body 2 having an inletr4 adapted to be connectedto a source of cold water and an inlet 6 adapted to be connected to asource of hot water. The inlets 4 and 6 communicate with a mixingchamber 8 in which hot and cold water are mixed in suitable proportions,as desired, and discharged through a single outlet 10 connected, as bymeans of a flexible hose or the like, to the tub or container of awashing machine or the like. Intermediate the inlets 4 and 6 and theoutlet 10 are valve assemblies 12 and 14 for controlling the flow of hotand cold water into the mixing chamber 8 and thence through the outlet10. It is, of course, understood that either of the valve assemblies 12and 14 may be individually operated or operated simultaneously toselectively supply hot or cold, or a mixture of hot and cold, waterthrough the outlet 10 to the washing tub or the like.

Mounted within each of the inlets 4 and 6 is a flow control device 16for controlling the flow of water to the mixing chamber 8.

Inasmuch as the valve assemblies 12 and 14, as well as flow controldevices 16, are of similar construction, reference will be hereinaftermade to the details of such structure as is shown incorporated in thecold water side of the valve.

The present application is concerned primarily with the structure andoperation ofthe flow control devices for controlling the flow of hot andcold water through the inlets 4 and 6 to the mixing chamber 8. Such aflow control device is disclosed as comprising a member 18 formed ofresilient rubberlike material of the proper durometer hardness andhaving a centrally disposed orifice 20 extending therethrough. The flowcontrol member 18 is mounted in the inlet 4 in abutting relation with amember 22 formed with a centrally disposed orifice 24 of slightly largerdiameter than the diameter of the orifice 20. This abutment member 22 issubstantially of the same diameter as the diameter of the enlargedsection 26 of the inlet 4 and is disposed therein in abutting relationwith the annular shoulder 27.

The member 18 is formed with an outer annular peripheral portion 29 of asize to comfortably fit in engaging relation with the inner wall of theenlarged section 26 of the inlet and a centrally disposed nose-likeportion 31 which, as illustrated in the drawings, has the uniform bore20 substantially centrally located therein. The noselike portion in theillustrative example of the invention is cylindrical shaped and extendsoutwardly and laterally of the annular peripheral portion 29. The member18 is held in position in abutting relation with the member 22 by meansof an expansible spring ring 33 engaging the outer face of theperipheral portion 29 and the inner face of the enlarged section 26 ofthe inlet.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the member 18 has radiallyand axially extending surfaces facing the upstream side of the inlet.The radially extending surfaces are formed in part by the face of theannular peripheral portion 29 and in part by the end of the centrallydisposed portion 31. face of the portion 31 constitutes the axiallydisposed surface for the flow control devices, the same being dis-Patented Apr. 24, 1956 The outer peripheral sur- The shape of the member13 with its radially and axially extending surfaces permits fluidpressure on the upstream side of member 18 to be exerted on the sidewalls of the annular portion 31 so that as the pressure in the inlet 4increases, the bore through annular portion 31 will be decreased in sizeto restrict the flow of liquid therethrough. The dimensions of theprojecting nose-like portion, the durometer hardness of the resilientrubberlike material from which the member 18 is made, and the shape andsize of the bore 20 are factors which determine the flow characteristicsof the members 18. The size of the bore 20 varies inversely with thepressure in the system, and such variation serves in the capacity ofcontrolling the flow of liquid, whereby equal amounts of liquid arepassed through the orifice 20 in equal intervals of time. In theparticular illustrated valve assembly for use in automatic washers. themembers 18 are designed to deliver substantially equal amounts of Waterin equal intervals of time with pressure variations in the system ofbetween 20 and 100 pounds per square inch.

The invention further contemplates the idea of having constant flowcontrol devices in both the hot and cold water inlets, which may bedesigned or set so that equal amounts of both hot and cold water aredischarged into the mixing chamber 8 in equal intervals of time, or theflow control devices in both the hot and cold water inlets may be sodesigned or set to provide constant flow controls with different flowvalues. This difference in flow values is of significance where it isdesired to hold the warm water temperature at the higher or lower valuethan the straight mechanical mixing of equal quantities will give wherethe flow control devices have the same flow control characteristics.

A diaphragm valve assembly made according to the present disclosure hasthe additional advantage of being stable and positive in its operation.This is due to the fact that when the flow control devices are mountedin the inlet end of the valve, the flow control devices absorb thegreater portion of the pressure drop so that the total pressure dropacross the diaphragm type valve is relatively small which leads to amore stable and positive operation of the diaphragm type valve.

While the present application is directed particularly to the flowcontrol devices as hereinabove described, nevertheless, the same areshown in connection with a valve assembly for supplying hot, cold, orwarm water to an automatic washing machine or the like, and accordingly,the environment in which these devices operate and the manner in whichthe Water is controlled in its flow to the washing machine will be moreparticularly described. It is understood, however, that the valvemechanisms with which the present flow control devices are used aremerely illustrative and that the present invention contemplates the useof the flow control devices with various types of fluid controlmechanisms.

Such valve assembly is constituted by a port 2 5 intermediate the inlet4 and the mixing chamber 8, the same being provided with an annularvalve seat 30 surrounding the same and adapted to be engaged in sealingrelation by a flexible diaphragm 32 whereby the flow of liquid from theinlet 4 to the mixing chamber 8 is controlled. The flexible diaphragmmember 32 is constructed of a flexible rubberlilte material having acentral portion 34, an intermediate annular web section 36 and an outerenlarged peripheral ring portion 33. The diaphragm 32 is mounted in thevalve body 2 through the medium of its enlarged peripheral ring portion38 by securing means including a housing 40 for the armature or plunger42 of a solenoid 44. The enlarged peripheral ring portion 33 is seatedwithin the annular groove 46 formed in the valve body 2 which isprovided with an inner shoulder 48 for a purpose to be hereinafterdescribed.

in the present illustrative embodiment of the invention, the housing 40is formed with an annular flange 50 adapted to engage the enlargedperipheral ring portion 38 of the diaphragm and through the medium ofthe bolts, such as 52, the flange 59 compresses the enlarged peripheralring portion 38 therebetween and the groove 46 to provide a solid anchorfor holding and centering the diaphragm in operative position, and whichcompression of the ring portion causes the same to act as a self-sealinggasket for forming a fluid-tight joint between the valve body 2 and theannular flange 50 of the housing 413. The clamping and securing meansfurther includes the bracket members 54 and 56 which, through me mediumof a gasket, such as 58, causes the housing structure 50 to be broughtdown into compressing relation with the enlarged peripheral ring portion38, the amount of compression being limited by the engagement of theannular flange 50 with the shoulder 48 so as not to unduly compress thering portion 38 and to cause damage thereto. The brackets 54 and 56 areprovided with suitable means whereby the valve may be mounted in anydesired manner to frame structure of a washing machine or the like.

The central portion 34 comprises a central web 60 and a laterally oroutwardly extending annular sealing lip 62 having its outer marginaledge curved, as at 64, to provide streamlined characteristics to improvethe flow characteristics of liquid through the valve. The annularsealing lip 62, when the valve assembly is in its closed position, isadapted to engage the seat 30 to cut off the flow of liquid through thevalve. The sealing lip 62 is further provided with an inwardly andradially extending annular ring 66 integrally formed therewith andadapted to engage within the groove 68 formed in the outer peripheralsurface of a seal stop 70 to hold the same in assembled relation withthe diaphragm 32. This seal stop which is made of metal, or otherrelatively rigid material, is provided with a central opening 71extending therethrough and terminates short of and in spaced relation tothe outer end 64 of the sealing lip 62 and may be snapped into place byflexing the sealing lip 62. This stop member 70 provides a positive stopfor the closing movement of the diaphragm in its sealing position andalso serves as a reinforcing member for the central portion of thediaphragm about the opening and the sealing lip 62. It will be clearlyapparent that movement of the sealing lip 62 is limited by theengagement of the stop member 70 with the seat 30 to prevent unduecompression of the sealing lip 62.

The diaphragm 32 has a small orifice or opening 72 in the intermediateannular web section 36 which is in communication at all times with thehigh pressure side of the inlet 4 and the control chamber 74 formedbetween the diaphragm 32 and the housing structure 40. The plunger 42,which has heretofore been described as a part of the solenoid 44, alsoconstitutes a valve member of a pilot valve for controlling the openingand closing of the diaphragm 32. The plunger 42 is provided with theconically shaped end piece 76 which seats with the sealing lip 78extending outwardly of the central web 60, and which defines an opening80 of greater cross-sectional area than the orifice 72 concentricallydisposed in alignment with the opening 71 of the stop 70 and extendingthrough said central web 60. The solenoid 44 further includes aconventional field winding 82 embracing the housing 40 which isenergized from any suitable source of electricity for retracting thearmature or plunger 42 from its engagement with the lip 78 when it isdesired to actuate the valve mechanism. The solenoid 44 may becontrolled electrically by any sequence timer, if so desired.Inter-posed between the end of the plunger 42 and the outer end of thehousing 40 is a coil spring 84 for returning the plunger to its seatingrelation with the sealing lip 78 upon deenergization of the winding 82.

In order to reduce turbulence in the flow of liquid from the inlet 4 tothe mixing chamber 8, an annular the present invention, the highpressure side thereof is connected through the inlet 4 to a suitablesource of supply for cold water. With the valve parts in the position asshown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the water will flow through thediaphragm aperture 72 into the diaphragm or control chamber 74 until thesame is filled.

Inasmuch as there is little or no pressure on the outlet side of thevalve, the fluid pressure in the chamber 74 holds the diaphragm 32 inseating relation with the valve seat 30. When the solenoid 44 isenergized by passing current through the solenoid field winding 82, thearmature or plunger 42 will be moved outwardly against the compressiveaction of the spring 84 so as to unseat the same with the pilot valveopening 80. As soon as this unseating of the pilot valve member 42 withthe pilot valve opening 80 takes place, the fluid under pressure in thechamber 74 flows out through the pilot valve opening 80 and into the lowside of the valve into the mixing chamber 8.

As the fluid pressure is relieved in the control or diaphragm chamber 74due to the flow of fluid out of the chamber through the opening 80 at agreater rate than it enters through the orifice 72, the fluid pressureon the inlet side of the valve is eifective on the underside of theflexible diaphragm to force or flex the same outwardly away fromitsseating position on the seat 30 to permit flow of fluid from the inlet 4through the port 28 to the mixing chamber 8, and thence through theoutlet 10 into the washing tub or the like. So long as the solenoid 44is energized the diaphragm 32 will remain in its open position to permitflow of fluid in the manner indicated. When the solenoid 44 isdeenergized, however, the plunger 42, under the action of the spring 84,is moved into its seating relation with the pilot valve opening 80whereby fluid pressure is built up in the diaphragm chamber 74 from thehigh side of the valve through the opening 72 to maintain the diaphragmin its closed and seating relation with the valve seat 30. This sealingrelation of the diaphragm with respect to the valve seat is maintainedinasmuch as the total area on the outer side of the diaphragm, namely,that area exposed to fluid pressure within the control chamber 74, isgreater than the area on the innerside of the diaphragm.

It will be clearly apparent that the operation of the valve through thesolenoid, which in turn. may be electrically controlled by a sequencetimer, is merely illustrative of one Way in which the valve may beoperated. It will also be apparent that in accordance with the presentdisclosure, the solenoids for the hot and cold water supply can beoperated either individually or simultaneously, depending upon whetherit is desired to introduce hot, cold, or a mixture of hot and cold waterto the washing machine or the like.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 167,283, filedJune 10, 1950, now Patent No. 2,644,476, issued July 7, 1953, for FlowControl Valve to Thomas R. Smith. Said Patent No. 2,644,476 was reissuedon July 5, 1955, as Reissue No. 24,034.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings shown an illustratedembodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not to be limited thereto, but may comprehend other constructions,arrangements of parts, details, and features without departing from thespirit of the invention.

I claim:

A fluid control device including a conduit for fluid flow therethrough;a shoulder within said conduit; a flow control member of resilientmaterial within said conduit, said flow control member including acylindrical base portion seated, at its down-stream end, on saidshoulder, and a coaxial cylindrical end portion of constant normaldiameter on the up-stream side of said base portion, said end portionhaving a substantially smaller external diameter than said base portionand being substantially spaced throughout its periphery from theinternal wall of the conduit; a normally uniform, centrally located,constantly open bore extending, centrally through said base and endportions, and forming with said end portion a readily deformable,annular wall; said annular wall being adapted to contract at itsupstream end upon an increase of fluid pressure within said conduit todecrease the size of said bore within said annular wall to maintain asubstantially constant volume of flow throughout a wide range ofpressures.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

